An up-to-date report on the current status of important research topics in algebraic geometry and its applications, such as computational algebra and geometry, singularity theory algorithms, numerical solutions of polynomial systems, coding theory, communication networks, and computer vision. Contributions on more fundamental aspects of algebraic geometry include expositions related to counting points on varieties over finite fields, Mori theory, linear systems, Abelian varieties, vector bundles on singular curves, degenerations of surfaces, and mirror symmetry of Calabi-Yau manifolds.

This book provides a quick access to computational tools for algebraic geometry, the mathematical discipline which handles solution sets of polynomial equations. Originating from a number of intense one week schools taught by the authors, the text is designed so as to provide a step by step introduction which enables the reader to get started with his own computational experiments right away. The authors present the basic concepts and ideas in a compact way.

The book is devoted to the theory of algebraic geometric codes, a subject formed on the border of several domains of mathematics. On one side there are such classical areas as algebraic geometry and number theory; on the other, information transmission theory, combinatorics, finite geometries, dense packings, etc. The authors give a unique perspective on the subject. Whereas most books on coding theory build up coding theory from within, starting from elementary concepts and almost always finishing without reaching a certain depth, this book constantly looks for interpretations that connect coding theory to algebraic geometry and number theory. There are no prerequisites other than a standard algebra graduate course. The first two chapters of the book can serve as an introduction to coding theory and algebraic geometry respectively. Special attention is given to the geometry of curves over finite fields in the third chapter. Finally, in the last chapter the authors explain relations between all of these: the theory of algebraic geometric codes.

A collection of surveys and research papers on mathematical software and algorithms. The common thread is that the field of mathematical applications lies on the border between algebra and geometry. Topics include polyhedral geometry, elimination theory, algebraic surfaces, Gröbner bases, triangulations of point sets and the mutual relationship. This diversity is accompanied by the abundance of available software systems which often handle only special mathematical aspects. This is why the volume also focuses on solutions to the integration of mathematical software systems. This includes low-level and XML based high-level communication channels as well as general frameworks for modular systems.

Approximate Commutative Algebra is an emerging field of research which endeavours to bridge the gap between traditional exact Computational Commutative Algebra and approximate numerical computation. The last 50 years have seen enormous progress in the realm of exact Computational Commutative Algebra, and given the importance of polynomials in scientific modelling, it is very natural to want to extend these ideas to handle approximate, empirical data deriving from physical measurements of phenomena in the real world. In this volume nine contributions from established researchers describe various approaches to tackling a variety of problems arising in Approximate Commutative Algebra.

A collection of articles giving overviews and open questions in singularities and their computational aspects.

Written by the founders of the new and expanding field of numerical algebraic geometry, this is the first book that uses an algebraic-geometric approach to the numerical solution of polynomial systems and also the first one to treat numerical methods for finding positive dimensional solution sets. The text covers the full theory from methods developed for isolated solutions in the 1980's to the most recent research on positive dimensional sets.

This book can be understood as a model for teaching commutative algebra, and takes into account modern developments such as algorithmic and computational aspects. As soon as a new concept is introduced, the authors show how the concept can be worked on using a computer. The computations are exemplified with the computer algebra system Singular, developed by the authors. Singular is a special system for polynomial computation with many features for global as well as for local commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. The book includes a CD containing Singular as well as the examples and procedures explained in the book.

The theory of algebraic function fields over finite fields has its origins in number theory. However, after Goppa`s discovery of algebraic geometry codes around 1980, many applications of function fields were found in different areas of mathematics and information theory. This book presents survey articles on some of these new developments. The topics focus on material which has not yet been presented in other books or survey articles.